PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS AT THE CROSSROADS

Transforming the Los Angeles Police Department


LAPD Badge Many of the same forces that have reshaped America's industrial sector are now forcing public organization through a similar transformation. One large public institution, the Los Angeles Police Department, is navigating its way through wrenching changes.

Explore how the LAPD exists as part of a larger system that makes it difficult to implement piecemeal efforts to change. Through readings, classroom discussions, interviews, and briefings by top LAPD officials, former LAPD Chiefs, and other community leaders, participants will develop a perspective of organizational change.

Topics include first-hand accounts of events following the Rodney King beating, the Christopher Commission Report, the riots, the intense pressure that was put on the Department for reform. This course also tracks events through the Police Department down to the street level patrol where public policies are actually played out.

FEATURED GUEST SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

Bernard Parks
Los Angeles City Chief of Police

Daryl Gates* and Willie Williams
former Los Angeles City Chiefs of Police

Stanley Sheinbaum
former President of the Los Angeles Police Commission

Edith Perez
President of the Los Angeles Police Commission

Merrick Bobb
former staff member to the Los Angeles Christopher Commission

Joe Gunn
City of Los Angeles Mayor's Office

Laura Chick
Los Angeles Police City Councilmember

Jim Newton
reporter for the Los Angeles Times

INSTRUCTORS:

Wellford Wilms
Professor, UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Studies,
and School of Public Policy and Social Research

David Gascon
Deputy Chief of Police and Chief of Staff, Los Angeles Police Department

Meetings:
Tuesdays 5-9 p.m. Ten meeting including field sessions!
Dates:
April 7 - June 9, 1998
Locations:
UCLA, Parker Center Police Headquarters and other locations to be announced
Credit:
Education 263I or Policy Studies 290 also available on a concurrent enrollment basis through UCLA Extension (4 quarter units)
Permission to enroll by Professor Wilms is required. Enrollment is limited.
Telephone 310-825-8385, email: wilms@ucla.edu

*invited

Course Outline

updated